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July 19, 2013

Shells fly over our camp

A Republic of Fiji Military Forces officer directing the many people who turned up during the RFMF’s recruitment programme held at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Nabua, Suva, yesterday. Similar recruitment drives were held at other military camps across the country. More on pages 2 and 3. Photo: PAULINI RATULAILAI

By MAIKA BOLATIKI

Mortar shells are flying over the Fijian camp in the Golan Heights in Syria, a senior officer of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces has said.

Land Force Commander Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga (pictured right) said this was the latest brief the military received yesterday from the Fijian contingent serving in the Golan Heights.

This new development, Colonel Tikoitoga says, is the result of the Syrian violence spilling across the border into the Israeli-controlled territory.

The report said Syrian mortar shells that flew over the Fiji camp had landed inside Israeli-held areas.

Colonel Tikoitoga said the mortar shells were directed to targeted areas but the Fiji camp was not a target.

On Tuesday, the report said a number of what appeared to be mortar shells struck the Golan Heights, causing no damage.

Colonel Tikoitoga said Fijian peacekeepers had identified where the mortar shells were fired from and where they landed.

“They have taken note of all the activities and sent a report to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force headquarters,” he said.

Colonel Tikoitoga has assured the nation and family members that the Fijian peacekeepers in the Golan Heights were safe.

He admitted that the peacekeepers were operating in a volatile area but they had adapted themselves well to the environment.

Armed elements, he said, were also within the Fiji area of operations.

He said the soldiers had started their public relations programme activities and have received positive feedback from the local communities.

“They have also built up their relationship and have started to make inroads into the communities within their watch area.”

Colonel Tikoitoga said they were looking forward to the arrival of the next contingent of 320 soldiers who would be deployed soon to the Golan Heights.

Government is committed to sending over 500 Fijian soldiers to the Golan Heights.